Wikipedia Considers Using CC License

I think that the Creative Commons is a great idea, if it is put in perspective. By that I mean that I believe that Creative Commons licenses offer a good starting point for the discussion on how to address the on going debate between copyright holders and those who want free and unfettered use of content. However, after reading the various perspectives from people outside the U.S., I do question whether Creative Commons is appropriate outside the US, and more precisely, outside the Developed World. It seems that some of the competing interests that underly IP law in the US are not necessarily the same as those that underly IP law in other nations. Moreover, there are other issues at play in these nations that are not necessarily at play in the U.S., as indicated by the indivual who commented on the effect of Creative Commons licenses in India. In nations such as India where access to education and educational resources was (and to some extent still is) restricted to those with financial resources, connections, etc. there are different implications in using Creative Commons licenses. In fact, the use of these licenses may in fact serve to further restrict access to content, rather than expand it. As such, I don't necessarily believe that Creative Commons licenses are the rights solutions for all nations.

Within the U.S. though, I do think that the Creative Commons licenses offer something positive. At the very least, it is a step in the direction of trying to achieve a balance between the "promotion of science and the useful arts" and the rights of us as "the People" to use content freely. I disagree with critics that state that the Creative Commons is dangerous because it will make copyright holders who may not otherwise assert their rights more apt to do so, and that it will make these individuals want to profit themselves from their works. I think copyright holders fall on various points of the spectrum, with some wanting complete control of their works and others not wanting much control at all. Thus, I don't think that having the Creative Commons is necessarily going to change where someone falls on the spectrum. Even if it does result in this, I personally believe that as an artist/creator, that individual should have some input on how his/her work is used and disseminated.